JP3402288B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a user can freely select a power saving mode setting for each component.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine having a copy function (hereinafter abbreviated as "multifunction machine") or a digital copying machine is an auto document feeder (ADF) or a flat bed type. A document placing table for reading is provided. The ADF is for continuously and automatically feeding a large number of documents to be read to an optical reading system to continuously read an image from each document surface.

Further, the flatbed-type reading original placing table has a cover glass as a transparent original supporting plate, and a user reads one original to be read at a predetermined position on the cover glass. They are placed one by one and read by an optical reading system. The reading method using such a flat bed type document placing table is generally called book reading. The cover glass as the document supporting plate constitutes a flatbed scanner (FBS) together with the optical reading system.

When copying an original document by a digital copying machine or a multi-function peripheral, a reading mode (resolution) corresponding to the number of copies and the type of the original document (normal image information of a character or a figure or a photograph). ) Is specified, the start button is pressed to start reading the original, and the copy copy is printed on the specified number of sheets of recording paper.

In consideration of recent environmental problems, in this type of image forming apparatus, in order to reduce power consumption as much as possible, power supply to unnecessary components is cut off and a power saving mode is set. The demand is increasing. As an example, if a block is formed by appropriately combining components of the image forming apparatus such as a printer (recording unit), a display unit, a communication control unit, and an image processing unit, and a power saving mode is set, the block is Image forming apparatuses for stopping power supply have been developed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, a block-by-block power saving mode in which a plurality of constituent elements are appropriately combined.
The default settings are set at the time of product shipment and are
On the side, it was not possible to change the power saving mode settings. For this reason, for example, if the display unit is set in the power saving mode, it is not possible to meet the user's request that only the display unit constantly supplies power to enable display. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and sets the power saving mode for each component.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be freely selected by the user.

[0008]

The object is to provide an image forming apparatus, including an operation section for setting an operation mode, a storage section for storing data, a display section in the invention according to claim 1.
An image that has a plurality of components including a recording unit that records data and a central processing control unit, and that has a power saving mode for cutting off power supply that is selected in advance and registered in the storage unit. In the forming device, there are provided means for changing a constituent element for which the power saving mode is set, selecting a desired constituent element and setting-registering the same in the storage unit, and an arbitrary constituent element for setting the power saving mode. This is achieved by a configuration having means for notifying power saving when selecting.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 includes a plurality of units including an operation section for setting an operation mode, a storage section for storing data, a display section, a recording section for recording data, and a central processing control section. In the image forming apparatus, the component having the power saving mode for cutting off the power supply is selected in advance and registered in the storage unit, and the power saving mode is set. Means for selecting and selecting and registering any constituent element in the storage unit, and when selecting any constituent element for setting the power saving mode, until canceling the power saving mode and restarting And a means for informing the time required for.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the component for which the power saving mode is set is selected in advance when the product is shipped, the component for setting the power saving mode is set according to the usage status of the user. The power saving amount can be arbitrarily selected and changed, and the power saving amount at the time of setting the power saving mode is notified. Therefore, the effect of reducing the power amount becomes clear when the power saving mode is set.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the component for which the power saving mode is set is selected in advance at the time of product shipment, the component for setting the power saving mode is set according to the usage status of the user. It can be arbitrarily selected and changed, and since the time from the cancellation of the power saving mode setting to the restart is known, the convenience can be determined when the power saving mode is set.

[0013]

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a side view of a reading portion in an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
The image forming apparatus is configured as a multifunction machine having both the copying function and the facsimile function as described above.
In FIG. 2, a multifunction machine 1 as an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus case 2, a pressing lid 3, and a document feeding section 4.

The device case 2 incorporates an optical reading system (OP). Although details of the optical reading system are not shown, a lamp 9 as a light source and a reflection mirror are attached to a moving frame driven by a step motor, and a condenser lens and an image pickup device for image reading ( A CCD) is fixed in the device case 2. The lamp 9 serving as a light source reciprocates in the horizontal direction (direction of arrow S).

A transparent cover glass 8 is mounted on the upper surface of the apparatus case 2 as a support plate for placing a document to be read when used in the FBS mode. The cover glass 8 constitutes an FBS together with a lamp 9 and a reflection mirror which are light sources attached to the moving frame of the optical reading system.

The pressing lid 3 is provided with a substrate 5, a paper feed tray 6 and a discharge tray 7, and is attached to the upper end portion of the device case 2 by a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable. That is, the holding lid 3 acts as an opening / closing plate that opens and closes the cover glass 8. The document feeder 4 is a main component of the ADF, and takes in the document to be read in the paper feed tray 6 and reverses it. Subsequently, the document to be read is conveyed in the document feeding unit 4, and when it passes over the transparent plate, the image of the document to be read is read by the optical reading system and is discharged to the discharge tray 7.

Next, the document feeding section 4, which is a main component of the ADF, will be described. At the entrance of the document feeder 4,
The document width detecting sensors 4l are installed at a predetermined pitch. Inside the document feeding unit 4, there are provided a feeding roller 4a and a separation roller 4b for taking in the uppermost document to be read on the paper feed tray 6. Further, a sheet feeding auxiliary roller 4c is provided on the side of the feeding roller 4a, and the driving force from the feeding roller 4a is transmitted by the belt 4d.

The sheet feeding auxiliary roller 4c rotates in the same direction as the feeding roller 4a due to the driving force transmitted from the belt 4d as the feeding roller 4a rotates, and descends to feed the sheet. It abuts on the upper surface of the document to be read at the uppermost position on the paper tray 6, and assists the paper feeding by the feeding roller 4a. Feeding roller 4a
A transport roller 4e and a pair of driven rollers 4f and 4g are provided on the downstream side of the separation roller 4b.

In the ADF mode, the feeding roller 4a
The document to be read that has been taken into the document feeder 4 by the separation roller 4b and the separation roller 4b is conveyed by the conveyance roller 4e and a pair of driven rollers 4e.
After being conveyed while being sandwiched between f and 4g and being inverted, it passes over the transparent plate 4k. The image of the document to be read is read by the optical reading system through the transparent plate 4k.

The document to be read that has passed on the transparent plate 4k is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 4h and 4i, and the discharge port 4 is provided.
It is discharged onto the discharge tray 7 from j. Further, a document sensor 41 for detecting that a document is set is provided at the tip of the paper feed tray 6. This document sensor 4l
Is configured using, for example, a photoelectric sensor.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a control device of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. Next, this block diagram will be described. The control device 10 is provided with various components. As its constituent elements, a central processing control unit (CPU) 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13 used as a buffer memory and the like, which does not require a backup power supply, a RAM 14 which holds data by the backup power supply, and an external personal computer 16 Interface for connecting
The space 15 is provided.

A mechanism control unit 17 for controlling the scanner 18 and an image processing unit 19 for controlling the printer 20 so that the image read by the scanner 18 is input and the image data is recorded by the printer 20 are provided. Has been.
In addition, a network control unit (NCU) 2
2. A liquid crystal (LCD) controller 2 having a communication control unit 21 for controlling the control unit 2 and a display unit for displaying images and various data.
3. An operation panel 24 in which various input keys such as a power saving mode setting key are arranged is provided. On the display unit of the LCD controller 23, when the power saving mode is set, which will be described later, whether or not the power saving mode can be set for each constituent element and the power saving amount are displayed.

The ROM 12 stores various control programs necessary for controlling the operation of this machine. RAM13
Is the received image data or the image data read by the optical reading system.
The data (image data) is temporarily stored.

The printer 20 is composed of an electrophotographic printer, and copies received image data and image data read by an optical reading system onto recording paper of a fixed size supplied from a paper feed cassette (not shown). To do. That is, the printer 2
0 functions as a recording unit for recording image data.
The printer 20 can print various data on recording paper. It is also possible to provide a clock unit for counting the current time and print the time at that time on the received document using the output thereof. Network control
The unit (NCU) 22 controls the closing and opening of the telephone line L, and detects the sending and receiving of dial pulses corresponding to the fax number of the other party.

On the operation panel 24, a key for setting a power saving mode, a copy / facsimile multifunction machine, and a copy mode or a facsimile communication mode are selected. / Communication key and copy mode (resolution) depending on whether the document is image information such as text or photo information
A key for setting various operation modes such as a reading mode key for setting, automatic reduction, a key for setting an automatic recording paper selection mode, and the like are provided. These operation modes are LC
It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the setting is made by selecting it with a touch panel on the screen of the display unit of the D controller.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the constituent element for setting the power saving mode is previously selected and registered in the storage unit, the power saving mode is set for the constituent element. It is configured so that it can be canceled or a new component that operates in the power saving mode can be selected. Therefore, the user can select an arbitrary component according to the use situation and set the power saving mode.

In FIG. 1, a portion B1 surrounded by a broken line is a first power saving mode setting block, which is RAM 13, LC.
The D controller 23 and the operation panel 24 are constituent elements for setting the power saving mode.

The portion B2 surrounded by the one-dot chain line is the second
In the power saving mode setting block, the first power saving mode is set.
In addition to the components of the drive setting block B1, the mechanism control unit 17, the image processing unit 19, the printer 20, the communication control unit 21.
Is set as a power saving mode setting target.

FIG. 3 shows the power saving amount when the power saving mode is set and registered for each component and the time required for restarting the power saving mode setting for each component. It is explanatory drawing of the made table. Such a table is
For example, it can be stored in the RAM 14.

As shown in the table of FIG. 3, for example, a printer having a large amount of power saving requires a long time to restart. For this reason, if the printer is the target component of the power saving mode setting, the effect of power saving can be obtained, but the convenience of the user is not good. In the present invention, the LCD controller controls the power saving amount and the time required for restarting when the power saving mode is set for each component.
It is configured such that the user can set the power saving mode in consideration of the power saving effect and the convenience by printing on the display section of the printer or the recording paper.

FIG. 4 shows that when the power saving mode is set, L
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the CD controller 23. In FIG. 4, the part where "NO" is displayed corresponding to each component is the part where the power saving mode is not set, and the part where "YES" is displayed is the part where the power saving mode is set. Is.

The example shown in FIG. 4 is a power saving mode which is initially set by the manufacturer at the time of product shipment.
In the power saving mode 1, the LCD controller, operation panel,
RAM1 is a target component of the power saving mode.
If all of these constituent elements are targeted for the power saving mode 1, the power saving amount is 29 W and the restart time is 5 seconds.

When all the constituent elements are selected in the power saving mode 2, the power saving amount is 158 W and the restart time is 25 seconds. Here, as the restart time, the restart time of the printer that requires the maximum restart time within the block is 25 seconds.

In setting the power saving mode 2, if it is desired to exclude the LCD controller from the power saving mode, "NO" is input to the LCD controller from the operation panel. In this case, the power saving amount is 158
It is 138 W, which is obtained by subtracting 20 W from W. As the restart time, the printer restart time of 25 seconds which requires the maximum restart time in the block as described above is displayed.

5 and 6, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the power saving mode is maintained or released for each constituent element in the block in which the power saving mode is initially set. It is a flowchart showing a processing procedure. next,
This flow chart will be described.

(1) The processing program is started in step S1, and the current setting, for example, the power saving mode 2 of the initial setting is displayed in step S2. Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the setting is completed. This judgment result is YES
If it is (hereinafter, abbreviated as Y), the processing program ends in step S4.

(2) If the determination result in step S3 is NO (hereinafter abbreviated as N), the process proceeds to step S5, and the power saving mode 1 or the power saving mode 2 is selected. Next, in the process of step S6, the power saving block including the constituent elements corresponding to the selected power saving mode is selected. The process of step S6 is to select the block 1 of FIG. 1 in the power saving mode 1 and the block 2 of FIG. 1 in the power saving mode 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

(3) In the process of step S7, YES or NO is selected as to whether or not the power saving mode is set for each constituent element in the block. If NO is selected here, the component has been set as a target of the power saving mode in the initial setting, but the setting of the power saving mode has been canceled in the process of step S7. Next, in the process of step S8, it is determined whether the power saving mode of the component is set or not.

(4) Then, the process proceeds to step S9, whether the setting is YES, that is, the process performed for each individual component is the process of setting the power saving mode, or the process of saving the power saving mode. It is determined whether the processing is not to set the power mode. If the result of this determination is Y, it is determined that the processing is for setting the power saving mode, and step S10 is performed.
The process shifts to the step (1) and the total power saving amount is added.

(5) Next, in the process of step S11, it is determined whether or not there is a component having the maximum restart time in the currently selected block. If this determination result is Y, the restart time of the selected power saving mode is updated to the maximum restart time of the component in the processing of step S12, and the processing of step S2 and subsequent steps is performed. Return. Also, when the determination result in step S11 is N, the process returns to step S2 and subsequent steps.

(6) If the determination result in the process of step S9 is N, that is, if the power saving mode is not set for each component, the process proceeds to step S13. Transition and subtract the total power saving amount. This processing is, for example, in the example of FIG. 1, when the user does not set the LCD controller, which is initially set to the power saving mode in block 1 in the power saving mode, to the power saving mode. , The power saving amount of 20 W by the LCD controller is subtracted from the power saving amount of 29 W of the entire block 1.

(7) Subsequently, in the process of step S14, it is determined whether or not the restart time is maximum. If the result of this determination is Y, then the processing shifts to step S12, and the restart time of the selected power saving mode is updated. If the determination result of step S14 is N, it will return to the process below step S2.

(8) Steps S2 to S1
When the process of setting the power saving mode or not setting the power saving mode is completed for all the constituent elements by repeating the loop process of No. 4, the determination result of step S3 becomes Y and the loop process is exited. In step S4, the processing program ends.

As described above, in the present invention, when the constituent element to which the power saving mode is set is selected in advance, the constituent element is released from the setting of the power saving mode or newly added. Any component can be selected as a target of the power saving mode and registered in the storage unit. in this way,
Since the user can freely change the contents of the power saving mode of the initial setting, it is possible to realize the power saving according to the substance of use.

It should be noted that when setting the power saving mode for each component, the CPU and the RO that require backup are required.
If the power supply to M or RAM is cut off, the situation such as inoperability or loss of data occurs. For this reason,
It is also possible to create a program for these components so that the power saving mode cannot be set.

[0047]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the component for which the power saving mode is set is selected in advance at the time of shipping the product, the power saving mode is saved according to the usage status of the user. The components that set the power mode can be arbitrarily selected and changed, and the power saving amount when setting the power saving mode is notified, so the effect of reducing the power amount when setting the power saving mode is clear. become.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the component for which the power saving mode is set is selected in advance at the time of shipping the product, the component for setting the power saving mode is set according to the usage status of the user. It can be arbitrarily selected and changed, and since the time from the cancellation of the power saving mode setting to the restart is known, the convenience can be determined when the power saving mode is set.

[0049]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control device of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a reading portion of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a table when the power saving mode of the present invention is set.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen when the power saving mode of the present invention is set.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image forming device 2 body case 3 Presser lid 4 Document feeder 5 substrates 6 paper feed tray 7 Output tray 10 Control device 11 Central processing unit (CPU) 12 ROM 13,14 RAM 15 Interface 17 Mechanism control unit 19 Image processing section 20 printers 21 Communication control unit 23 LCD controller 24 Operation panel

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of components including an operation section for setting an operation mode, a storage section for storing data, a display section, a recording section for recording data, and a central processing control section,
An image forming apparatus in which a power saving mode for cutting off the power supply is set in advance and registered in the storage unit, and the power saving mode is changed to change the component Image forming, comprising means for selecting a component and setting and registering it in the storage unit, and means for notifying a power saving amount when selecting an arbitrary component for setting the power saving mode apparatus. 2. A plurality of components including an operation unit for setting an operation mode, a storage unit for storing data, a display unit, a recording unit for recording data, and a central processing control unit,
An image forming apparatus in which a power saving mode for cutting off the power supply is set in advance and registered in the storage unit, and the power saving mode is changed to change the component A means for selecting a component and setting and registering it in the storage unit, and, when selecting an arbitrary component for setting the power saving mode, informs the time required for canceling the power saving mode and restarting. An image forming apparatus comprising: